You do not have to be a resident of New York State to get married in Lockport, NY.

Marriage Waiting Period Requirements New York:

Yes. Once a license is issued, there is a 24-hour waiting period before your wedding ceremony can be performed.

If you and your prospective spouse must marry before the 24 hour waiting period is over, you can request a Judicial Waiver from the County Clerk in the county or borough where you obtained your Marriage License.

When both applicants are 16 years of age or older, the 24-hour waiting period may be waived by an order of a justice of the Supreme Court or a judge of the County Court of the county or borough which either of the applicants resides.

If either person is under 16 years of age, the order must be from the Family Court judge of the county or borough in which the person under 16 years of age resides.

If you were married before, you must list all prior marriages. You must include your previous spouse's full name; the date the divorce decree was granted; and the city, state, and country where the divorce was issued.

All divorces, annulments, and dissolutions must be finalized before you apply for a new Marriage License.

You may also be required to show a certified copy of the divorce decree or other dissolution document.

Marriage License Fee New York:

The fee for a marriage license is $40 in Lockport, NY. Acceptable form of payment is cash. For guidance on additional methods of payment, please call ahead.

Marriage Blood Test New York:

No premarital examination or blood test is required to obtain a marriage license in New York State.

Last Name Change New York:

Just because you have a marriage license with your new last name doesn’t mean you’ve officially changed your name.

Surnames do not automatically change after marriage. You must choose your legal surname. One or both parties may choose to change their surnames.

You do not have to change your surname to be legally married.

In the state of New York, you must choose from the following options for the surname change:

one spouse’s surname for both partners

a surname that combines elements of both spouses’ surnames

both spouses’ surnames, separated by hyphen

Name Change Kit New York:

Getting a marriage license with your new name on it does not mean your name has automatically changed. If you need to change your last name, you can use an online marriage name change kit.

Both of your parents must be present to consent and have proper identification at the time of application for the Marriage License and at the Marriage Ceremony if the ceremony is performed in borough office of the clerk.

If one parent is deceased, the surviving parent must appear and a death certificate for the deceased parent must be produced.

If both parents are deceased, the legal guardian must appear instead.

If either prospective spouse is under the age of sixteen years, in addition to parental consent, the written approval of a Judge of the Supreme Court or Family Court is needed.

A person under the age of fourteen years cannot be married.

Marriage Proof of Age and Identification New York:

A person is required to establish proof of age and identity by submitting to the issuing clerk one of the following age related documents:

Birth Certificate

Baptismal record

Naturalization record

Census record

And one of the following identity related documents:

Driver's license

Passport

Employment picture ID

Immigration record

Judicial Waiver New York:

A 24 hour waiting period after you and your prospective spouse to obtain your license is required by New York State Law.

In the event that you and your prospective spouse must marry before the 24 hour waiting period is over, you can request permission from a Judge to waive this requirement.

You can request a Judicial Waiver from the County Clerk in the county or borough where you obtained your Marriage License.

There is no fee to obtain a Judicial Waiver.

Give the Judicial Waiver to your Marriage Officiant to enable them to perform the ceremony within the 24 hour waiting period.

The Marriage Officiant must attach the Judicial Waiver when returning the Marriage License to the Clerk’s office.

Proxy Marriages New York:

No. Proxy marriage is not permitted in New York, so no other party may apply on behalf of either spouse.

Vital Records Section
New York State Department of Health
Empire State Plaza
Albany, New York 12237-0023

Please Note: State and county marriage license requirements often change. The above information is for guidance only and should not be regarded as legal advice. Additional information can be found on the City of Lockport website.

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State Laws marriage requirements to obtain and file a marriage license to receive certified copy of your marriage certificate from clerk’s office upon request.